There’s no question that having a great online reputation gives you the stamp of approval you need, especially when 95 percent of consumers are turning to the Internet to find local businesses. With 132 million average monthly unique visitors turning to Yelp to make a buying decision and 57 million...

Each month, QSR singles out the quick-service and fast-casual brands we think will make a splash in the industry. Sometimes we’re right, and sometimes we’re… well, not. So which Ones to Watch brands are still on fire, and which ones have had their growth hopes doused? Here’s a look back at 15 Ones...

For upstart quick-service restaurants considering the move to franchising, the path can precipitate a major shift in business model and operations. Beyond the economic investment in franchising, experts say, operators must ensure their brand will consistently deliver quality across all locations.
“...

Built in 1881, the log cabin housing the Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que location in Breckenridge, Colorado, has seen its fair share of action.
“As I understand it, it was the assayer’s cabin for the town,” says John Rediker, a partner at the Breckenridge unit. Precious metals extracted from the mines...

Saving for retirement and other financial milestones is an important objective for most people, including employees in the quick-serve industry.
The biggest coffee chain in the U.S. is making it easier for its workers to reach those monetary goals. In 1991, after Seattle-based Starbucks extended...

Consumers increasingly look to cash in on loyalty programs, and a new report from business strategy adviser Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that savvy quick serves can capitalize on a data-collection strategy to ensure loyalty success.
“If you are a quick serve and don’t have [a loyalty program...

For many quick-service operators, rolling out a successful dessert platform is a matter of taking a big risk. Dessert isn’t always top of mind for customers who are in and out of a restaurant, while pressure is on for flavors to be innovative but also compliment the menu.
The risk involved may be...

When it comes to developing a quick-service concept, Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison understands that the economic model remains a large piece of the puzzle. In creating a strong franchise deal that fosters company growth, however, Morrison and many other quick-service leaders know that many other...

Russo’s New York Pizzeria, the U.S.-based fast-casual pizzeria concept best known for its authentic cuisine and brick-oven pizzas, plans to significantly enhance the brand’s footprint in France and throughout Europe.

Demonstrating the excitement around the brand, Russo’s kicked off 2015...

Giving customers a taste of the past, Whataburger and H-E-B introduces Whataburger's new Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips. Whataburger originally offered customers potato chips when the first restaurant opened in 1950, and continued serving them until introducing french fries to the menu in 1962. To...

Blaze Pizza is cooking up a historical celebration this Pi Day by celebrating the once-in-a-lifetime occurrence when the first five digits of pi, 3.1415, correspond with this year’s full date, 3/14/15. Louisville’s Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza invites guests to build their own artisanal pizza “pi” on...

Local restaurant and nightlife group Boston Nightlife Ventures announced that a new flagship location of Griddler’s Burgers and Dogs at 134 Boylston St. will open Monday, March 9. The new location, which serves as the prototype for the growing Griddler’s brand, features a vibrant new look and...

McDonald's Corporation announced that global comparable sales decreased 1.7 percent in February. Performance by segment was as follows: U.S. down 4.0 percent; Europe up 0.7 percent; and Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa down 4.4 percent.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) reached a new milestone by issuing its 6 millionth ServSafe certification, underscoring its place as the number-one food safety training program in the U.S. and abroad.

Friendly’s manager Errin Davis, who started her career as a server in 1999,...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...

Like much of the rest of the economy, the 2008 economic meltdown brought a massive slow-down to the quick-service franchise industry. The combination of tightfisted money lenders and general economic uncertainty put franchise businesses in a near impossible position when it came to accessing...

What can I possibly tell you about potatoes, dear quick-serve industry professional, that you don’t already know? It’s not as though you’re unacquainted with America’s favorite starch. You may even know that it’s the world’s fourth-largest food crop, trailing behind only rice, corn, and wheat,...

Having started as a sandwich maker with Subway when he was 18 years old, Gurpreet Singh has spent nearly half his life in the quick-service industry. Now a Checkers franchisee, Singh has spent time in every quick-serve job imaginable: line worker, manager, general manager, and, today, franchisee....

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...